On December 8, 1914, Hunan-Yale Medical College, now the Xiangya School of Medicine of Central South University (CSU), was officially founded, marking the first modern higher medical education co-led by China and the U.S. Since then, Xiangya School of Medicine has been dedicated itself to saving lives and nurturing medical elites, embarking on a remarkable journey of over a century. With 110 years of brilliance, Xiangya remains committed to advancing its mission. On the morning of December 8, 2024, Central South University celebrated the 110th Anniversary of Xiangya’s Medical Education.
The event was attended by Shen Xiaoming, Secretary of the Hunan Provincial CPC Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Hunan Provincial People's Congress; Cao Xuetao, Deputy Director of the National Health Commission; Lin Huiqing, Chairperson of the Expert Committee on Medical Education of the Ministry of Education; Wang Chen, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Li Xiang, President of the National University of Defense Technology and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Wu Guiying, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hunan Provincial CPC Committee and Secretary of the Changsha Municipal CPC Committee; Zhang Yingchun, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hunan Provincial CPC Committee and Executive Vice Governor of the Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Qin Guowen, Member of the Standing Committee and Secretary General; Jiang Difei, Vice Governor of the Hunan Provincial People’s Government; and Zhang Jian and Zhang Zhuohua, Vice Chairpersons of the Hunan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Over 2,000 guests, including representatives at home and abroad, Xiangya alumni, delegates from sister institutions, and faculty and student representatives of CSU joined in the celebration.
The ceremony commenced with the solemn playing of the National Anthem. Yi Hong, Secretary of the CPC Committee of CSU, moderated the event.
In his speech, Li Jiancheng, President of CSU, emphasized that over the past 110 years, generations of Xiangya people have upheld the school spirit of “Public Service, Courage, Diligence, Prudence, Sincerity, Compassion, Modesty, and Integrity; Truth, Precision, Depth, and Specialization”.They have shared a common destiny with the nation and progressed alongside the times, contributing to high-quality medical development and the advancement of human health.
Li noted that on the new journey toward building a stronger nation and achieving national rejuvenation, CSU, guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, will remain centered on improving people's health, focus on cultivating outstanding and innovative medical talents, and advance the coordinated development of high-quality medical education and healthcare. The university aims to make greater contributions to realizing the blueprint of “Three Hubs and Four New Missions” for Hunan, implementing the Healthy China initiative, and fostering a global community of health for all. With these efforts, Xiangya medical education will achieve new brilliance as a Chinese model of world-class excellence.
Chen Zhu, Vice Chairman of the 13th Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, extended his congratulations via video message. He said that since the first graduating class in 1921, Xiangya has exemplified the spirit of "caring about the nation and daring to be a pioneer". Over the past century, Xiangya members have achieved dual excellence in medical practice and academic research, becoming a driving force in advancing high-quality medical development. Particularly in the new era, under the guidance of the Healthy China initiative, Xiangya has played a pivotal and exemplary role. He emphasized that as Xiangya stands at a new historical starting point, it is expected to deepen reforms in medical education, build a system for cultivating exceptional talent with Xiangya characteristics, and train more "good doctors" and "great doctors" for people’s health. Chen encouraged Xiangya to adhere to innovation-driven development, leveraging high-level scientific and technological advancements to contribute to the Healthy China initiative. He also highlighted the importance of enhancing medical service efficiency and improving public health and well-being. With the medical ethos of “Public Service, Courage, Diligence, Prudence, Sincerity, Compassion, Modesty, and Integrity” and the academic spirit of "Truth, Precision, Depth, and Specialization". Xiangya is poised to make even greater contributions to Chinese-style modernization and the Healthy China initiative.
Cao Xuetao, representing the National Health Commission, expressed his expectations, hoping that Xiangya School of Medicine will align with the grand goal of building a Healthy China by 2035. He urged the school to focus on the country's strategic needs and cultivate top-tier, innovative medical talent for the new era. Cao also emphasized the importance of addressing the health needs of the people by continuously providing high-quality and efficient healthcare services. Additionally, he encouraged the school to focus on building world-class institutions and contribute to the construction of a global health community. Through its efforts, Xiangya will play a key role in strengthening the foundation of health for Chinese-style modernization, providing strong momentum for the development of education, science and technology, and the Healthy China initiative.
Lin Huiqing expressed her expectations for Xiangya’s development, urging the school to uphold the principle of cultivating both virtue and knowledge and accelerate the development of top-tier, innovative medical talent. She stressed the importance of faculty building by fostering a spirit of educational leadership, and a sense of mission. Lin also highlighted the need to serve the country's strategic demands, contributing to technological self-reliance and strength with Xiangya's efforts. She encouraged the school to continue adhering to its fine traditions and unique educational characteristics, focusing on connotative, distinctive, and innovative development. Through these efforts, Xiangya will make new and greater contributions to promoting the high-quality development of medical education in China, and to building a strong educational system and a Healthy China.
Zhang Yingchun, on behalf of the Hunan Provincial CPC Committee and Provincial Government, expressed gratitude for Xiangya’s long-standing support and contributions to the economic and social development of Hunan. She noted that developing Xiangya is a shared aspiration of people in Hunan. Zhang emphasized her hopes that Central South University, focusing on its distinctive disciplines and striving to build world-class institutions, will forge new paths in the pursuit of excellence. She encouraged the university to take the lead in accelerating scientific research and reaching new heights in medical advancements, as well as to play a key role in nurturing talent and contributing to the strengthening of the nation. The Provincial CPC Committee and Provincial Government will continue to offer their unwavering support to CSU and Xiangya School of Medicine, creating better environments to achieve even greater success and new accomplishments in its endeavors.
Wang Chen, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, President of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and President of Peking Union Medical College, and Qiao Jie, Executive Vice President of Peking University and Dean of the Peking University Health Science Center, delivered remarks as representatives of sister universities.
Wang Chen stated that as we celebrate the 110th anniversary of Xiangya Medical Education, Chinese medical education has also undergone a century of development. He highlighted that exploring medical development directions that better meet the needs of society and the public, based on experience, is a common challenge we all face. Peking Union Medical College, Xiangya School of Medicine, and other institutions share the responsibility of exploring the future of modern medicine in China. Peking Union Medical College looks forward to collaborating with peer institutions to explore the right path for the development of Chinese medicine and make greater contributions to China's healthcare and medical cause. Qiao Jie expressed that Peking University's Health Science Center and Xiangya School of Medicine of CSU, as the backbone of Chinese medical education, bear a special and important mission in cultivating top-tier talent, producing first-class results, and advancing the Healthy China initiative. She looks forward to working with CSU to cultivate more excellent medical talent, achieve more breakthroughs in key medical fields, and contribute to the faster and better development of medical education and healthcare in China.
Hunan-Yale Medical College, the predecessor of Xiangya School of Medicine of CSU, was jointly founded in 1914 by the Hunan Yu-Chun Educational Association and Yale-China Association (YCA). During the ceremony, John Frisbie, President of YCA, reflected on the century-long partnership with the Xiangya medical system. He emphasized that YCA will support the development of Xiangya School of Medicine of CSU as always. The partnership established over a century ago by Dr. Yan Fuqing and Dr. Edward Hume will lead the Association to collaborate even more closely with Xiangya. President Frisbie expressed hope that both sides would expand and deepen exchanges and cooperation for the development of medicine and education in both China and the United States, and to the friendship between the two peoples.
Over the past 110 years, Xiangya has trained more than 100,000 medical professionals. Xiangya alumni have spread across the globe, contributing to the construction of a global community of health. Academician Liu Depei, an alumnus from the class of 1978, shared how the school's academic atmosphere and research environment have inspired him to pursue excellence and innovation. He expressed his best wishes for the continued development of his alma mater, stating, "All of us at Xiangya will move forward together, with even greater determination and enthusiasm, to create an even more glorious future for Xiangya."
At the conference, the “Handbook for Rural Doctors” (7th Edition) was officially launched.
The “Handbook for Rural Doctors” traces its origins to 1959 when Hunan Medical University developed the Manual for Rural Medical Workers to support and guide grassroots healthcare in rural areas. Over the years, it has become an indispensable resource for healthcare professionals in these regions. Since its first edition, more than ten million copies have been distributed, playing a key role in the development of rural healthcare in China. The latest edition introduces new sections on chronic disease management, health education and promotion, and mental health services, offering more scientific and comprehensive guidance to meet the diverse and personalized health needs of the public.
The event also held a special tribute ceremony. Ten teacher representatives, including Academician Zhou Honghao, Professor Hu Dongxu, Professor Lu Guangxiu, Professor Liu Xunyang, Professor Yang Lingling, Professor Zhou Hanchai, Professor Peng Longxiang, Professor Sun Caijiang, Professor Wang Xiangpu, and Professor Han Ming, who have dedicated over 60 years to teaching and medical practice, along with alumni representatives Academician Ma Jun and Academician Wang Jianan, received flowers from student representatives. The audience gave a warm round of applause to honor the mentors who have shaped the glory of Xiangya Medicine and Chinese medical education.
The student representatives of Xiangya School of Medicine delivered a collective speech. The event concluded with the singing of School Anthem.
After the conference, the Xiangya Fuqing Forum on Medical Education of Central South University was held, featuring two main sessions and four parallel sessions. Medical experts from universities such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, Yale University, University of Michigan, and University of Hong Kong, engaged in discussions on topics such as the construction of new medical disciplines, digitalization in medical education, the cultivation of top-tier innovative medical talent, the eight-year clinical medical training program, and the development of an international perspective for medical students.
To celebrate the 110th anniversary of Xiangya Medical Education, Central South University held a series of events from December 6 to 8, with the theme“Innovation Creates Excellence, Self-empowerment Leads to Future Success”. The activities included the Meeting of the Virtual Simulation Experiment Teaching Innovation Alliance's Medical Field Working Committee and Clinical Medicine Expert Committee, Yale-China Association-Xiangya Partnership Meeting, the Xiangya Fuqing Forum on Medical Education, Working Meeting of Medical “First-rate Universities and Disciplines” Construction Alliance Council, and The 23rd Annual Chia Family Health Fellowship Conference. In addition, a high-level achievement exhibition was held, along with a special exhibition titled“Xiangya in the Classics”, the release of a series of books commemorating the 110th Anniversary of Xiangya Medical Education, the drama “Zhang Xiaoqian”,110th Anniversary Gala of Xiangya Medical Education of Central South University, the completion of China's first fully automated 5G bio-resource sample bank with clinical-level unmanned operation, and more.
One hundred and ten years of brilliance, standing proud and strong, with the future ahead full of promise and responsibility.
Xiangya, happy birthday! May the new journey be marked by even more extraordinary chapters.
Source: https://xysm.csu.edu.cn/info/1226/8648.htm
